Healthy soil and sustainable growing

[tradingpost <tradingpost@lobo.net>]

I can't get dandelion to germinate. Maybe seeds too old, an Italian 
cultivated variety. That Red Russian kale is really a dependable seller 
for us. I think they push kale on Food Channel. Not that it's worth 
watching. BTW our Viroflay spinach survives winter uncovered and grows 
great in early spring. And I'm curious, which Asian greens work for u 
thru winter?

On 12/4/2013 12:41 PM, John D'hondt wrote:
> Our main problem is very low light intensity in winter. It is usually a
> matter of getting suitable species in the ground by the end of September and
> then they will slowly keep on growing until Spring and usually produce
> greens for picking in the worst of conditions. This year we could not get
> the summer crops in before the end of October. And I now have all sorts of
> seedlings about 3 inches high. Much too small to do much before next Spring.
> Turnips, kale (especially red Russian), some Asian greens but not all,
> miners lettuce are otherwise quite reliable.
> Spinach and arugula would be a waste of time here even when planted in time.
> What thrives best here at the moment are dandelion leaves. Some of the
> plants are even flowering now. Some of the traditional summer crops are
> hanging on well for now even when we had a good bit of night frost.
> John